The menthol in peppermint works as a decongestant, shrinking swollen membranes in the nose and making it easier to breathe, and also helps loosen mucus that has collected in the lungs. Peppermint may also help prevent a sickness from coming on in the first place.
Pure essential oils are highly concentrated and can be toxic. Menthol can cause serious side effects in children, so parents and caregivers should not apply peppermint oil to a child's skin or allow them to inhale or ingest it.
In aromatherapy, peppermint oil is promoted for treating coughs and colds, reducing pain, improving mental function, and reducing stress.
Blisters In The Mouth And Nostrils
Peppermint oil is akin to menthol. And, so if you are allergic to menthol, then you might probably develop blisters in your nostrils and mouth if you use peppermint oil for inhalation. Avoid any medication that has peppermint oil in its ingredient list to avoid these side effects.
A few of her favorites include Peppermint, Lavender, and Lemon. “These are cleansing oils, and can be diffused in your home to help cleanse the air, and promote clear breathing and healthy respiratory functions,” she explains.
Using a Peak Flow Meter device showed an improvement in the lung capacity and inhalation ability after inhalation of peppermint aroma [14].
Peppermint essential oil can be used by: diluting the oil in boiling water and inhaling the steam. adding the oil to a diffuser. using it in a blend of topical oils.
In addition to being ingested, peppermint oil can be used topically or in aromatherapy. Topical application may help to soothe chronic itches. The smell of peppermint oil may help reduce nausea, particularly in patients who have had recent surgery.
Regarding peppermint essential oil, previous studies have confirmed its relaxing and sedative effects (Lisa Blackburn et al., 2017).
And it's actually the scent of peppermint that's key. The scent stimulates the hippocampus area of the brain, the area that controls mental clarity and memory, particularly long-term memory. Basically, the aroma of peppermint - primarily the menthol component - triggers you to wake up and pay attention.
Menthol essential oils also can help clear up your sinus cavities. Peppermint: Another strong minty scent similar to menthol, peppermint also is effective at relieving sinus congestion thanks to its strength and ability to overcome nearly any blockage.
The Bottom Line. Natural products such as peppermint oil have many components. Menthol is the most abundant compound found in peppermint oil. Menthol can cause superficial irritation in small amounts and severe systemic symptoms in large amounts.
Moreover, previous study on athletic performance, reported that peppermint essential oil had no significant effect on blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, systolic & diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (Raudenbush, et al., 2001 ▶).
Like many other essential oils such as lavender, peppermint oil can be used to give relief from stress, anxiety, depression and mental exhaustion due to its naturally refreshing properties.
Peppermint has been found to have a soothing effect, acting as a relaxant that helps the mind and body to wind down, so a peppermint tea before bed can really help you to destress and relax.
The menthol component of peppermint causes your muscles to relax, relieving stress and anxiety, which both add up to allowing you to gain more restful sleep.
Furthermore, peppermint is a great essential oil for purifying the air in your home. It is effective at killing germs and has a fresh, minty scent which is uplifting and refreshing. Since lemon essential oil has antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties, it makes an excellent cleaner.
Breathing in essential oils can cause a severe lung infection known as pneumonitis in some people. In general, however, essential oils are safe when used externally (not ingested) in low concentrations. ' Ideally, you should use your diffuser in a well-ventilated area, for no more than 15 minutes in an hour.
There is so much to learn about essential oils and their benefits, but it's always good to know how to use them safely. Oil diffusers are safe for the lungs and, when used correctly, they have many benefits!
Peppermint oil
3–4 drops of oil added to hot water can be applied by inhalation.
You can use peppermint essential oil as a rub on your chest or inhale it through a vaporizer to help clear nasal congestion and relieve cough and cold symptoms.
For example, the menthol and cooling effects of peppermint oil may work better in a chest rub than in a diffuser. With topical applications, be sure to dilute the oil before applying it to your skin. You can use an ounce of carrier oil, such as coconut oil, for every few drops of essential oil.
The menthol present, in peppermint oil, helps to clear the respiratory tract, providing relief for respiratory conditions like asthma, nasal congestion, sinusitis, bronchitis, cough, and cold. Peppermint oil is often used in cooling chest rubs and balms.
This plant reduces heart rate and systolic blood pressure, relaxes bronchial smooth muscles, and increases ventilation [16]. The medicinal properties of peppermint are due to the presence of menthol, which is the main ingredient in peppermint essential oil.